Summertime Tattoo Care:

Keeping Your Ink in Peak Shape While the Summer Sizzles

Summertime in the Limestone City means different things to different people. Whether it’s the opportunity to finally enjoy some of our city’s amazing patios, relish a leisurely walk or two along the waterfront, or simply people watch while perched on a bench in Springer Market Square, one thing’s for sure: it’s time to shed some layers and proudly show off our ink.

If you want your tattoos to remain beautiful for years to come, though, it’s important to take care of them, whether you’re sunning, swimming or sipping.

Become a Fan of Sun Protection

If you haven’t heard the news already, baking in the sun isn’t good for us: it leads to cancer and premature aging. Besides that, it’s really hard on tattoos.

Make sure you slather on some SPF before heading outdoors. Excessive sun exposure will not only guarantee a painful burn, it’ll also speed up the fading process all tattoos are subject to over the years.

Make sure you choose a sunscreen SPF 30 or higher for everyday use, and 50 if you’re going to be outside for a prolonged period of time. Our advice? Always use more than you think you need. Chances are, it’s still not enough.

Reapply if you’re sweating, or hitting up the waves to make sure you’re adequately protected.

Cover Up

We know, we know. You wait all year to ditch the long sleeves and bulky layers the colder seasons force us to wear, but if you’re going to be outside for a long period of time, make sure you’re covered up.

Choose some clothing made of lightweight cotton to give your tattoo an added layer of protection (you can’t skip sunscreen!) from those harmful UV rays.

Moisturize

Between last-minute road trips, hitting up baseball games and enjoying outdoor concerts, it’s easy to forget how important it is to keep your tattoo moisturized. But don’t skip this step: the summer sun and chlorine in pools can be super drying. Keep the colours vibrant and the lines crisp by making sure your tattooed skin is moisturized.

Care Properly for New Tattoos

If you’re sporting some new body art this summer, it’s important to be mindful of proper aftercare.

Keep in mind your skin is still healing, and so exposing your tattoo to irritants like chlorine can be harmful. You could end up with infections or a distorted tattoo, and trust us: you don’t want either of those. Wait until you’ve healed completely (there should be no peeling) before taking a dip.

Ask Us!

Looking for more tips on caring for your tattoo during the summer months? Just ask us! We care about your body art as much as you do, and want to make sure you enjoy it for years and years to come.